Living in Florida all my life, the beach is a MUST for our family. Especially during the hot summers. Here are the things we bring to survive beach days during the summer.
- Shade – The Sun is brutal, especially when it comes to the littles. Their skin is so delicate, so any time they can be in the shade, take advantage. Our personal preference is a large canopy. There are some who prefer beach umbrellas, but either one will make your beach stay more enjoyable.
- Ocean Safe sunblock – I wish I could shout this from the rooftops of the hotels on the beach. I wish the local shops, and stores only sold sunblock that is safe for the ocean. A lot of the problem is, there’s just not enough awareness. It never clicked in my brain that the sunscreen we use is harmful to the ocean. There are a few other brands that are safe, so do your research on what works best for you and your family. If you’re interested in learning more definitely check out HERE
- Sunscreen stick – This is a life saver for my kid’s little faces. I know it seems redundant to have 2 types of sunscreen, but it’s so easy to apply, and it really helps to have more control of where the sunscreen is applied, especially in delicate areas.
- Sandals – make sure you use sandals or water shoes. Depending on what beach you go to the sand can get hot, or in the case, the “sand” is actually shell – then you definitely want protection for your feet because it’s not pleasant!
- Towels – It’s the beach! You have to bring a towel. My favorite type of towel is the Turkish towel. Whether you want to use them to dry off, yoga in the sand, use them at home, or a cute sarong! Turkish towels are THE WAY to go! If you haven’t tried them before, they’re a game changer!
- Chairs – So this one is a must for adults, but I don’t recommend getting them from Amazon. You’ll have more luck with affordable chairs at a sporting goods store, or Walmart. Here are the ones we have Adult Chair & Kids Chair
- Beach toys – If the kids are in tow, I would definitely make sure you have plenty of toys. My kid’s favorite thing to do is catch sea life. If your kids are the same, I definitely recommend the catch and release beach aquarium. Trust me, the sea life will thank you! In Florida, the water can be choppy at times, and the waves make it difficult to have lots of water toys, but there’s plenty of sand, and sand castles are. Also, recently we went to the beach and there were lots of people playing Bocce ball! So I definitely recommend toys for that. I had never even heard of that game before our last beach trip, but it’s definitely a fun game for adults and children!
- Cooler – Pack all the snacks, and drinks! Make sure you stay hydrated. The heat and the sun will make you hungry. So make sure you pack your favorite snacks, and lunch! If you haven’t been to Florida, find a Publix, grab a sub, and thank me later! The food trucks on the beach tend to have a lot of lines and can be quite costly. Being prepared definitely makes for a better experience.
- Beach bag – We are a family of four, so our beach bag is actually a tote! We find it’s so much easier to carry our clothes, towels, toys, and necessities with the room you get in a tote.
- Wagon – Aside from a Tote, I definitely suggest a wagon. If you’re going to be visiting a beach where you can’t drive or park on the beach then you’re probably going to have quite a trek – especially with kids! My only suggestion is that you make sure you have wheels that accommodate sand! The smaller wheels will give you more difficult and will end up dragging.
- Vinegar – for jellyfish stings! If you’re a Florida local, there’s a chance you or someone you know has been stung by a jellyfish. Our daughter was stung last year, and we had to take her all the way to the lifeguard stand to get white vinegar. So now, we bring an old contact solution bottle with vinegar – just in case.
- Waterproof speaker – we are a music loving family, so every beach trip we bring a portable speaker. You can use it to relax, or start a dance party so along with the waves, enjoy the tunes!
- Cooling towels – It’s extremely humid in Florida, and the heat index can make anyone feel too hot. When the wind isn’t moving it can make it even worse, so we make sure we pack cooling towels. You wet them ahead of time, and throw them in your cooler. When you or your kids feel a little overheated throw one around your neck and your body temperature will drop a couple of degrees!
Check out the links to the items mentioned HERE
If you’re going to the beach, the most important thing is to just have fun! My favorite memories revolve around the beach!
If you frequent the beach or have traveled there before what are your must-haves?
